From the outside, a co-operative may look like any other business. It’s what goes on inside that makes it different.
There are over 4,800 independent co-operatives in the UK. They work in all parts of the economy, from healthcare to housing, farms to football clubs, credit unions to community owned shops, pubs to public relations, wind farms to web design.
Co-operatives are not just supermarkets and funeral services – although these are amongst the most successful co-operatives found on the high street.
Co-operatives are owned by people like you!
Co-operatives exist to serve their members, whether they are the customers, the employees or the local community. What’s more, these members are the owners, with an equal say in what the co-operative does. So, as well as getting the products and services they need, members help shape the decisions their co-operative makes.
Across the UK, co-operatives are owned by more than 11 million people – and these numbers keep on growing.
Co-operatives share their profits
Co-operatives want to trade successfully – they are businesses, not charities, after all. Members, such as farmers or freelancers, tenants or taxi drivers, can often do better by working together. And sharing the profit is a way to keep it fair and make it worthwhile.
Rather than rewarding outside investors, a co-operative shares its profits amongst the members.
Co-operatives are a success around the world
This mix of self-help and mutual aid has made co-operatives an international force for good. 100 million people around the world are employed by co-operatives, whilst 800 million are members.
In Kenya smallholders can trade their coffee for a fair price only because they are members of co-operatives. In France nine out of ten farmers maintain their livelihood by being part of a co-operative. In Spain the fans of Barcelona have a say in their football club because it’s owned by them.
Download the What is a Co-operative leaflet
Read the International Co-operative Alliance's statement on co-operatives
